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NFL 2015: Five new teams that will make playoffs

By Matt Verderame

Oct 19, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 7, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) looks to pass against the New York Jets in the first quarter but gets sacked for a safety in the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) looks to pass against the New York Jets in the first quarter but gets sacked for a safety in the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

The Minnesota Vikings are going to be improved tremendously in 2015. After going 7-9 under first-year head coach Mike Zimmer last season, Minnesota has plenty of reasons to expect a playoff berth for the first time since the Leslie Frazier era.

First, future Hall-of-Fame running back Adrian Peterson is returning to the starting lineup after sitting out the final 15 regular-season games of 2014 because of a legal issue. With Peterson back in the fold, ample pressure is off the young shoulders of second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who threw 14 touchdowns against 12 interceptions in his rookie campaign. Despite those mediocre numbers, the film shows Bridgewater can make all the throws a top-notch NFL quarterback needs to make.

Minnesota also addressed its lousy defense from a year ago in the draft. In the first round, general manager Rick Spielman added Michigan State corner Trae Waynes before doubling back and getting inside linebacker Eric Kendricks in the second round. Judging from a position of need and value combined, Minnesota arguably had the best draft of anyone, especially if third-day pick, offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings, turns out to be a player.

With Bridgewater having another offseason to develop, along with the return of Peterson and the solid draft, the Vikings appear poised to leapfrog the Detroit Lions in the NFC North. Zimmer has a track record of getting defenses straightened out when he was the coordinator with the Cincinnati Bengals, and offensive coordinator Norv Turner has won two Super Bowls (1992 and ’93 with the Dallas Cowboys) in his current role. Look for big things from Minnesota.

Next: 1. Kansas City Chiefs

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